Getting great stereo sound from multi channel sys.

ZD542 nailed it.... Option 1 is strongly preferred if possible. The others are compromises.

There isn't any multi-channel AVR ( or any receiver per se ....) out there that can match the 2 channel audio performance of hi-end quality build separates.

Space and the WAF are what drove me to take the processor and multi-channel amp route... Theta Casablanca III and a 5 channel Theta Intrepid amp. Last year I home demoed an Ayre pre-amp against my Casablanca to see if I was missing anything. IMHO the Theta trumped the Ayre.

Option 1 without a doubt. Or a slight modification to option 1 - a high quality 2 channel integrated with HT bypass for your two channel listening. This will cut down the number of components by one. You can further cut down by using an AVR as your processor and amp to power the center and surrounds - Hey, its only movies right?

Whichever route you go, I agree with Zd and Akg - don't listen to 2 channel music through an AVR or a pre/pro.

After a 10 plus year affair with the HT mistress and always being left unsatisfied when it came to listening to music, this is the route I took. Now, I couldn't be happier.

Agree with others on option 1. Personally I'd get a good stereo pre and amp and a decent AVR (I've read budget Yamahas do relatively well for audio) to handle processing and powering center/surrounds so you can put the most money where it matters most. As Paraneer mentioned, a good integrated could work too if space is a concern and may save a little $$$. Best of luck.

I bought the Audio Refinement Multi 3 three channel power amp and a matched Multi 2 two channel power amp (both used) to go with my Rega Osiris integrated amp (primary for 2 channel audio) . The Rega integrated has a full signal bypass for hookup as the LF and RF channels in a multichannel setup with the AV pre-proc below.

These Audio Refinement power amps are the YBA designed (France ) with the hi-end YBA parts but assembled as French designed units in China as YBA's Lower priced kit. I bought them used within the last year for about $450 each (each was pushing $3000 new).

For the AV preamp processor I went with the all digital NuForce AV18 preamplifier / processor) . Multichannel favours HDMI and this unit forgoes all the legacy inputs in favour of all digital. Google for reviews - highly recommended AV pre-pro separate.

With the subwoofer and 7 speakers, (mains were the LF and RF) I now had my discrete 2 channel primary audio 2channel rig integrated as part of the 7.1 multi channel system. For two channel serious audio enjoyment, it is only the standalone 2 channel system, but with a flick of the button it integrates into the Multi channel system when I need it.

I had the expensive top-end Cambridge AVR before. As good as it is, it does not compete with this and many other similar hi-end separate components systems.